New owners take Montezuma dental clinic

When it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.

That was the case for John and Heather Eilander of Montezuma, the new owners of Montezuma Dental Clinic.

Heather, a dental hygienist who has been in the business for 37-years, said owning a dentist office wasn’t on her radar when she learned this spring that the former Montezuma Smiles Dental Clinic was closing its doors.

“When Dr. Timm, the former owner, sent letters out to her customers and informed her staff that she was closing, one of the staff members contacted me about a hygienist job,” said Eilander, who also owns a temp agency for hygienists.

That led Eilander to reach out to Timm and inquire if she could purchase the dental office in Montezuma and she was ready to strike a deal.

“I talked to John, and he said do it,” recalled Eilander.

The couple purchased the business at 301 S. Fourth St. April 1 and spent the next two months remodeling and updating the building, hiring a dentist and staffing the business, including some former Smiles Dental Clinic employees.

They put in a larger waiting area, a fourth dental chair and an expanded sterilization room.

The staff includes LaRayne McGriff, practice administrator; Lyndie Mann and Jessica Little, assistants; and Kylee Taylor, Misti Dawley, Katie Barth and Eilander as hygienists.

Dr. Erik Christensen, who lives in Brooklyn, is the main dentist.

The business currently has four dental chairs with two more planned for future expansion.

“The biggest thing is we didn’t want to see it close,” said Eilander. “We all live here, and we are all staying here and taking care of our neighbors.”

The business opened its doors Monday, June 3. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The dental office accepts insurance, cash and credit cards.

“This is a locally owned, full-time office,” said Eilander. “We are not a satellite office.”

“I’m excited to continue seeing all my family and friends,” said Lyndie Mann, who has been at the dentist office with two previous owners for 11-years.

“I grew up around the Deep River area, and I’m excited to be rejoining the community,” said Jessica Little, an assistant at the dental office.

Call 641-623-5100 to make an appointment.